Darwin Convention Centre
eter Savoff , Darwin Convention Centre ( DCC ) general manager , believes events are firmly back in the NT capital . “ Our team has been incredibly busy this year with business extending even further into the shoulder season months to accommodate the many events on our calendar ,” he says .
“ National and international delegate numbers are comparable to those reported in FY19 . We are bouncing back stronger than ever and hope to keep this momentum going ,” Savoff says .
DCC welcomes delegates
The GM reports five international and 18 national conferences confirmed for 2023 with a healthy pipeline of events . Events in the diary include : World Aquaculture 2023 ; WaterMicro23 , and the World Community Development Conference all slated for the first half .
In terms of challenges , Savoff says staffing shortages have been the most significant at the DCC .
“ It ’ s an all-hands-on-deck attitude at the Centre with team members working across departments to lend a helping hand wherever necessary . We are proud of our team who is small , but versatile and resilient .” Those efforts were recognised in early 2022 when the team won Gold for Best Business Event Venue in Australia at the Australian Tourism Awards .
Savoff say it is important to make organisers feel they are not risking everything financially if an event is postponed due to any instant reactions to the pandemic by governments . He says the DCC has been offering space based on lower than historical contracted delegate numbers , allowing organisers to mitigate their risk . “ However ,” he adds , “ we are already seeing evidence that originally lower number contracted events have the capacity to even double in size in the final weeks leading up to the event launch date – which is encouraging .”
“ We have observed that new business is favouring Darwin , because of its warmer , tropical climate which is considered a safe option while Covid is still more evident in the cooler climate destinations ,” the GM adds .
Thanks to its strategic location at the spectacular Top End of Australia , Savoff says , close access to Asia and ongoing development of its many natural assets , means Darwin has considerable strategic strengths across the fields of agribusiness , tropical health , mining , international education , oil and gas , renewable energy , tourism , and defence – regularly attracting leaders and entrepreneurial organisations from other countries .
In 2021 the Centre launched its inaugural DCC Bid Champion Grant programme which saw two successful candidates receive funding to assist with bringing an international conference to Darwin . The programme will continue into 2023 / 24 .
For those looking for a sustainable venue , the DCC prides itself on a design that minimises overall energy consumption . There is an integrated digital-based lighting system for automated lighting , stepped dimming control and energy-efficient timers .
The Centre recently achieved AIPC Quality Standards Certification and has also achieved a Bronze Benchmarking Standard through EarthCheck .
Plans were recently unveiled to further develop the Waterfront Precinct into an integrated tourism and lifestyle destination . The multi-million-dollar project proposes a world-class surf park , tropical snorkelling lagoon , pools , and new fine dining options .
There are also plans to develop the Darwin Convention Centre Hotel – a property that will be integrated within the DCC and add 250 rooms .
A Larrakia Cultural Centre is set to be built next door to the Convention Centre , adjacent to the Larrakia sacred site at Stokes Hill Wharf .
The DCC enjoys a close relationship with the Larrakia Nation and believes there will be many new opportunities once the Cultural Centre is completed in approximately two years .
Darwin Convention Centre